I Vitamin C Study U of K Med Center
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| Tue, 05-06-2008 - 11:20pm |
I thought I would post what was sent to me from University of Kansas Medical Center regarding CAncer treatment with Intraveneous Vitamin C
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UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
Frequently Asked Questions about IV VIT C:
What is the intravenous vitamin C cancer treatment?
Research shows that intravenous vitamin C at high doses, used in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation, kills cancer cells in the early stages of cancer. For those in the later stages of cancer, the intravenous vitamin C protocol may improve the quality of life. The protocol also suggests a strict diet with oral supplementation.
How do I know if the intravenous vitamin C therapy will work for my cancer?
The intravenous vitamin C protocol is a general protocol for most cancers. Dr. Jeanne Drisko and Dr. Deena Khosh believe that the therapy works in the early stages of cancer when used in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation. They cannot consult any patient who decides to forego chemotherapy or radiation for the vitamin C therapy alone. It is not intended as a stand alone treatment or as a last effort treatment for patients in the late stages of cancer.
How do I get a copy of the intravenous vitamin C protocol?
The protocol is intended for medical professionals only. Medical professionals seeking a copy of the protocol should fax a hand signed request to 913-588-0012. We will provide the protocol via fax or e-mail if the e-mail address is provided.
May a child with cancer receive the vitamin C infusions?
Dr. Drisko and Dr. Khosh do not treat any patient under the age of 18. Since research studies have been conducted only with adults, the correct dosage for small children has not been determined.
May I take oral vitamin C (ascorbate) and get the same results?
Oral ascorbate is a vitamin and its uptake tightly controlled. Intravenous ascorbate is a drug and plasma and tissue levels are attained many times above oral dosing, allowing the development of hydrogen peroxide, the agent responsible for targeted neoplastic cell death while leaving normal cells unharmed.
Is the protocol safe?
A GDPD test must be done and results received before any infusions are given. Dr. Drisko and Dr. Khosh have found NO contraindications to giving intravenous vitamin C with any chemotherapy if their protocol is followed. Additions to the protocol are not recommended. The protocol should NOT be administered in conjunction with methotrexate chemotherapy because of urine pH requirements.
What is a G6PD blood test and why should I get the results from that test before I start the vitamin C infusions?
G6PD deficiency is an inherited condition in which a person’s body doesn’t have enough of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) which helps red blood cells (RBCs) function normally. Patients with this deficiency should not receive vitamin C infusions because it can cause hemolytic anemia.
My oncologist or radiologist is concerned that the intravenous vitamin C will reduce the effectiveness of my chemotherapy or radiology treatments. Is this true?
No. That’s a medical myth. Dr. Drisko believes there is no reduction of effectiveness of the chemotherapy or radiation when vitamin C is administered intravenously the same day. In addition, intravenous vitamin C is not an antioxidant; it is a pro-oxidant and, therefore, seems to augment the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation. Dr. Drisko and Dr. Khosh often give it on the same day as the chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment
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How do I get a vitamin C infusion?
Many doctors involved in chelation will be open to administering intravenous vitamin C. But most oncologists who administer the chemotherapy won’t give the vitamin C infusions. It’s better to get an “okay†from your oncologist to incorporate the intravenous vitamin C into your treatment and then find an integrative medicine physician who is willing to administer the infusions. You can find a local integrative medicine physician in your area by going to www.acam.org. He will need to submit a signed request on his practice letterhead and fax to 913-588-0012.
Will your office help me find a doctor in my area that will administer the vitamin C infusions?
No. We recommend contacting The American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) to find an integrative medicine doctor in your area. You can call their Physician Referral Hotline 1-888-439-6891 or go to their website at www.acam.org.
How do I convince my oncologist to let me do the vitamin C infusions?
Because the vitamin C infusions are still in the experimental stage and not FDA approved, it may be difficult to get the oncologist to agree to the infusions. We encourage them to read the research articles included in this section of the website. We ask patients to sign a waiver stating that their oncologist is aware of the treatment and have given their support to the infusions.
Diet and supplementation also provide a large role in the treatment. Dr. Drisko and Dr. Khosh highly recommend the book Beating Cancer with Nutrition by Patrick Quillin.
I found a medical professional willing to do the Vitamin C infusions, but they want to make additions such as B vitamins. Is that okay?
Medical professionals administering intravenous vitamin C should follow the protocol. Additions, such as B vitamins, may reduce the formation of Hydrogen Peroxide, which is the chemotherapeutic agent formed by Iv Vit C.
What’s the frequency and duration of the vitamin C infusions?
Patients are started out at a low dosage and work their way up to the therapeutic level. Once at therapeutic level the infusions will take between 2 1/2 - 3 hours, depending on the patient’s individual saturation point (detailed in the protocol provided to medical professionals only). Normally the infusions should be done twice a week, but some patients may require three times a week. Dr. Drisko and Dr. Khosh usually have patients get the infusions at the therapeutic level for a year and then reevaluate. If there appears to be no initial benefit, infusions may be stopped sooner.
Is it okay to stop getting the Vitamin C infusions for a period of time and then begin again at the same dosage?
Dr. Drisko and Dr. Khosh do not recommend stopping the intravenous vitamin C infusions unless the patient has been cancer free for at least a year. It is possible, if the patient stops the infusions but is not cancer free, that the cancer may become aggressive. Stopping the infusions for a week, perhaps for a vacation, is acceptable. But it is recommended that the patient get an extra infusion the week before and the week after they return. The infusions can be continued at the same dosage.
Is it possible to have the vitamin C infusions at my home?
Dr. Drisko and Dr. Khosh rarely allow home infusions. It may be permitted after the patient is at the therapeutic dosage (usually at least a month or more of infusions in the infusion clinic) and when both physicians are confident that the patient is capable of following the protocol after receiving instructions from the infusion nurse.
Patients outside the treatment area may need to have a medical professional write a prescription for the purchase of supplies. The medical professional would also need to monitor the patient’s care on a continual basis and keep in close contact with the individual administering the infusions. Neither Dr. Drisko nor Dr. Khosh will write prescriptions for infusions outside of their treatment area.
I’ve started the intravenous vitamin C, but my tumors markers are continuing to go up. Are the vitamin C infusions causing the cancer to spread?
No. The intravenous vitamin C is working as a chemotherapeutic agent. Just as some types of chemotherapy may not be successful, the same is true of vitamin C infusions. Also, if you are missing any components of the protocol such as diet and oral supplements, the infusions may not work.
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If a patient smokes or is continuously exposed to second hand smoke, is the effectiveness of the vitamin C infusions diminished?
Yes, absolutely! The oxidants from cigarette smoking or second hand smoke lower the vitamin C levels in the blood. It is extremely important that patients stop smoking or limit their exposure to second hand smoke.
Will my insurance cover the costs of the vitamin C infusions?
In most cases, no. Alternative medicine doctors must use billing codes that are not usually accepted by insurance companies. And because vitamin C infusions are not FDA approved, insurance companies are not inclined to cover costs.
Vitamin C infusions tend to range in price from $75.00 to $200. Oncologists who administer the infusions may use conventional bill coding, which increases the chances of insurance coverage. But if the claim is rejected, patients will find they are responsible to pay for the bill out of pocket—and the cost may be quadruple what it would be in an integrative medicine practice.
How important are diet and oral supplementation?
Diet plays a huge role in the protocol. Dr. Drisko and Dr. Khosh use the four-point program: diet, oral supplements, intravenous vitamin C and chemotherapy or radiation. They highly recommend the book Beating Cancer with Nutrition by Patrick Quillin. Oral supplements are recommended on a case by case basis.
My doctor has questions about intravenous vitamin C. Can he or she talk with Dr. Drisko or Dr. Khosh?
Absolutely! But we suggest that they read the research articles in this section of the website and have the protocol in hand before setting up a time to talk.
May I talk with Dr. Drisko or Dr. Khosh?
Phone consultations are only offered to patients outside the Kansas/Missouri Area. The physicians will not answer medical condition questions without proper documentation and a scheduled phone consultation. Appropriate documentation includes recent medical records, time line of the cancer, and completion of the 20-page Sherlock Questionnaire.
Phone consultations cost $100.00/half hour. All documentation and payment arrangements must be received prior to the scheduling of the phone consult through Becky Sheppard at 913-588-6208. The clinic fax is 913-588-0012. Becky’s email is rsheppard@kumc.edu.
Is there a difference between corn-derived ascorbic acid and beet derived ascorbic acid?
According to Dr. Drisko, the use of beet derived ascorbate is a medical myth in regard to it having an advantage over corn derived ascorbic acid. Bioniche one manufacturer of ascorbic acid (ordered through Wellness Pharmacy in Alabama 800-369-0302). Bioniche’s ascorbic acid product has consistently been the highest grade on certificates of analysis which has been verified through independent outside lab testing.
I started the IV Vit C and my tumors markers are continuing to go up, is IV Vit C causing the cancer to spread?
No. Dr. Drisko says because the IV VIT C is working as a chemotherapeutic agent it also may not be working for you just like certain types of chemo may not work for you. Also if you are missing any components of the protocol such as diet and oral supplements the IV Vit C may not be working.
I smoke or I am continuously exposed to second hand smoke would that have any bearing on the effectiveness of the IV Vit C?
Yes, absolutely! The oxidants from cigarette smoking or second hand smoke lower the vitamin C levels in the blood. It is extremely important that you stop smoking or limit your exposure to second hand smoke.
Will my insurance cover the costs for the IV Vit C infusions?
In most cases no. Alternative medicine doctors have to use alternative medicine billing codes which are normally not recognized by insurance companies, also the Iv Vit C infusions are not FDA approved which is another reason why insurance companies will not cover the costs. In general the Iv Vit C infusions cost anywhere from $75.00 - $200 each depending on the integrative medicine practice. Although we have heard if you are able to have your oncologist do the Iv Vit C infusions that they can use their conventional bill coding although there is a chance the claim will be rejected and you will end up paying out of pocket anyway and cost is sometimes quadruple than what it would be at an integrative medicine practice.
How important is my diet and oral supplementation?
Diet plays a huge role in Dr. Drisko’s protocol. She calls her treatment a three legged stool approach: diet, oral supplements, and the IV Vit C - chemo or radiation would be the 4th leg. She highly recommends the book “Beating Cancer with Nutrition†by Patrick Quillin. Oral supplements are recommended on a case by case but baseline supplements would be Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and powdered ascorbic acid to tolerance.
Can I talk with Dr. Drisko or Dr. Deena Khosh?
The phone consult option is only offered to people not in the Kansas / Missouri Area. If you are in the area you will need to schedule a patient consultation with Dr. Khosh or Dr. Drisko here at KUMED. Please know that the doctors can not answer medical condition questions without proper documentation and a scheduled phone consult. Phone consults are usually booked out a month and a half - patient has to be present on the phone call. The appropriate documentation needed includes recent medical records, time line of the cancer, our office’s 20+ page questionnaire. The phone consult cost is $100.00 for a half an hour. All documentation and payment arrangements must be received prior to the scheduling of the phone consult through Becky Sheppard at 913.588.6208. Our fax is 913.588.0012. Becky’s email is rsheppard@kumc.edu
